Area 4-H clubs join 'It Can Wait' campaign

WOODSTOCK – Local 4-H members have joined more than 20,000 other 4-H’ers across Illinois in a campaign to reduce car crashes caused by texting while driving.

The “It Can Wait” campaign encourages drivers to take a pledge to never text while driving. To make the pledge, one may text “4H4ICW” to “50555.” Standard text and data rates apply.

Local 4-H’ers are making the push now so preliminary results of their work can be released on “Drive 4 Pledges Day” on Sept. 19.

“The members of Illinois 4-H are committed to make a difference in the ‘It Can Wait’ campaign,” Angie Barnard, executive director for the Illinois 4-H Foundation, said in a news release. “By encouraging people to take the pledge, we can help make our state safer and even save lives.”

More than 100,000 crashes a year involve drivers who are texting, according to the National Safety Council.

“Teens admit that they text while they drive, even though they know it could be dangerous,” Barnard said. “We hope taking the pledge will remind them the next time they consider picking up their phone to text while driving.”

Illinois 4-H is joined by AT&T in the campaign.

To learn about the dangers of texting while driving and the “It Can Wait” campaign, visit ItCanWait.com.